Gunn announces campaign for Governor

By Randy Bell

Philip Gunn talks with supporters April 14 after announcing his campaign for governor at the Clinton Visitor Center.

Clinton’s Philip Gunn has become the second Republican officially in the race for governor. The former Speaker of the House announced his candidacy April 14, saying Mississippi needs a “battle-tested” governor who has a track record of accomplishments.

“All the things we did to move Mississippi forward, all the things that I think made us a better state, I want to see those things continue,” said Gunn. “And I was called to serve. I have a lot of people asking me to do this.”

Gunn’s announcement at the Clinton Visitor Center, just across the street from his home, was followed by a fund-raising reception. In his speech to a crowd of supporters, he gave a preview of his campaign themes, including eliminating the food tax, lowering property taxes, providing affordable health care, getting advice from business leaders on attracting high-paying jobs, a continued push for educational excellence and making Mississippi “the best place in America to live and work and raise a family.”

The man who now serves as Speaker of the House, Jason White, said Gunn has been a mentor, teaching him some leadership lessons.

“I would be proud to vote for him for governor and for him to be our governor,” White said, calling Gunn’s credentials “unquestioned.”

Gunn joins Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson in the Republican primary next year. Several other potential candidates are considering running for governor, but Gunn told his supporters to be wary of his challengers’ campaign rhetoric.

“There’s a huge difference between talking a big game and delivering one.”

In 2024, following his retirement from the Mississippi House, where he served as Speaker for twelve years, Gunn became executive director of a regional economic development partnership called Connect West, which is working to bring industries and businesses to Clinton and western Hinds County. Later that year, he joined the board of the Hinds County Economic Development Authority. He indicated that the campaign for governor won’t affect those jobs.

He said, “I still plan to work.”